Upcoming Weekend End of February

ON THE LAST WEEKEND IN FEBRUARY

ICY CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY

Please see the attached forecast for SNP above 2,000 feet.    This forecast would indicate there likely will be icy conditions on OLD RAG Mountain this weekend.    Taking micro-traction devices  (Yaktrax, STABLicers, Microspikes, ICEtrekkers, Cat Tracks, Trail Crampons...) would be recommended.


FORECAST FOR SNP ABOVE 2,000 FEET:




321
SXUS41 KLWX 251730
RECLWX
VAZ507-508-252100-

FORECAST FOR SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK ABOVE 2000 FEET
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
1230 PM EST THU FEB 25 2016

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS EVENING...

.THIS AFTERNOON...MOSTLY CLOUDY. ISOLATED RAIN SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE
UPPER 30S. TEMPERATURES STEADY OR SLOWLY FALLING IN THE AFTERNOON.
WINDY.
.TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S. WINDY.
.FRIDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S. BREEZY.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...COLD. PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE EVENING...THEN BECOMING
MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 19.
.SATURDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING...THEN CLEARING. HIGHS IN
THE UPPER 30S.
.SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S.
.MONDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER
50S.

Spring Beckons Sat, Feb. 20, 2016

 

HEY NEWBIES TO SNP AND SHOULDER SEASON OR WINTER COLD WEATHER HIKING.   PLEASE CONSIDER CARRYING MICRO-TRACTION EQUIPMENT (YAKTRAX, MICROSPIKES).  ALSO PLEASE CARRY ENOUGH WARM GEAR SO YOU CAN STAY WARM FOR SEVERAL HOURS IF YOU SUSTAIN AN INJURY THAT CAUSES YOU TO BE UNABLE TO WALK.    BE ADVENTURESOME.  HAVE A GOOD TIME BUT PLEASE DO NOT SET YOURSELF UP FOR THE CASCADE OF A BROKEN ANKLE LEADING TO SERIOUS HYPOTHERMIA BECASUSE OF YOUR LACK OF PREPARING FOR THE RISKS.   JUST BECAUSE THE SUBURBS HAVE NO SNOW AND 60 DEGREE WEATHER DURING THE DAY DOES NOT MEAN HIGHER ELEVATIONS MAY NOT HAVE ICE AND LOW 40 DEGREE TEMPERATURES!

 

 

Washington temperatures were in the 60's so of course Old Rag had a full parking lot.   There were lots of folks starting out prepared for their Spring like hike who found they had to turn around at the first false summit because there was lots of ice coating the scrambles rocks.   In the parking lot I saw lots of folks starting in shorts.   Most had sneakers on but some had sandals and one had flip flops. 

 

The classic large group bridge shot.

Signs of Springs approach.

 

 

Weakley Hollow from just above CCC stairs.

This group of three coming down the saddle trail was typical of those that I saw.   Keep in mind I only saw the 20-30 percent of the hikers who did not turn back.

The following video gives a slight idea of what it is like to negotiate icy trails without micro traction devices on your feet.

IT WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NO NEED FOR A MEDICAL RESPONSE ON THIS DAY.

Sunset from just below summit.

Dusk from summit

Moonlit rocks from summit.